Monthly iron ore shipments from Port Hedland have hit record numbers, which hit 39.53 million tonnes in March.

Shipments jumped 7.9 per cent on February’s total of 36.63 million tonnes, an increase of 2.9 million tonnes which surged ahead of the September record of 39.4 million tonnes.

With the first cargo from Roy Hill dispatched to China last month, the Pilbara’s newest mine will continue to ramp up operations throughout the year, and in turn increase shipping volumes from the world’s largest bulk export terminal.

The iron ore price rally in the first quarter of 2016 has been met with a two week slump of 2.8 per cent last week and two per cent the previous week, with full stockpiles at Chinese ports, leaving 62 per cent dry tonnes at $US54.80 in Qingdao, according to Metal Bulletin.

Bloomberg reported mills in China have ramped up output ahead of the peak construction season, with policy-makers signalling their willingness to bolster growth in steel production.